Stoker apparatus



Patented Aug. 14, 1945 :STOKER. APPARATUS 1 inghouseElcctric CorporatiomjEast Pittsburgh,

This invention relatesato furnace stokers, more particularly. to. those having overfeed grate sec-' whereby the optimum inclination for the particular-fuel being used, may be obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide grate bars of the inverted-V type, having a pivoted connection at the apex of the V, whereby the angle between the legs of the V may be varied to i provide fuel-supporting surfaces inclined at the optimum angle for the particular fuel used.. 7

These and other objects are effected by the invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a furnace stoker embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fi 2 is a transverse elevational view showing a transversely reciprocable grate bar embodyin the present invention; and,

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a stationary grate bar.

Referring to the drawing more in detail there is shown, at l0, a furnace installation embodying a furnace front wall H and side walls I2 and [3 which, together with the rear wall (not shown) form an enclosure for the grate structure I5. In the embodiment herein illustrated, the grate Application DecemberZ **Pa;,aorporation of Pennsylvania structure I5 is comprised by a plurality of transversely-extending grate bars of inverted-V configuration, the bars l6 being transversely reciprocable and the alternate bars I! being stationary.

It will be apparent from consideration of Figs.

2 and 3 that the plurality of bars l6 and' n,

9,1943,stalwarts a aoiaims. (omit-gee) j q tofthe horizontalto produceoptimum combustion Mr I performance". "There is a wide variation in com-.- mercial coals as reg-ards'itheir ash and volatile components as .well as size, and it has beencustomary for stoker manufacturers to build their stokers withthe'grate surface inclined at an angle to' the horizontal which will best suit the average of: these fuels. Howevemit will b'e obviousthat with a single fixed angle -of-inclination of the grate surface, this angle will not be the optimum for a considerable number of the varieties of fuels. Therefore, it is proposed to provide the inverted-V type bars with a pivoted joint at their apexes, whereby the apexes may be raised or lowered to vary the angle of inclination of the fuel-supporting surfaces with respect to the horizontal, to obtain the optimum angle of inclination for the particular fuel used.

While, in the embodiment herein illustrated, the invention is shown as applied to bars of the inverted-V type, where the fuel feeds in opposite directions, it will be apparent that the invention 5 contemplates means for raising and lowering one the illustrated construction.

Referring to Fig. 2 in the drawing, the reciprocatory bars I6 have their lower ends slidably supported upon stationary supporting plates 22 fixedly secured to the structural members 23, which, together with the masonry walls 24, form the side walls of the stoker plenum chamber 25. The apexes of the bars l6 are provided with pivoted joints 26, permitting raising or lowering of the apexes 2D with respect to the stationary end supports 22.

In order to impart transverse reciprocatory motion to the movable grate bars I6, the latter are provided with downwardly projecting lugs 28 and 29 providing therebetween recesses or notches 30, adapted to receive the upwardly projecting lugs 3] carried by the reciprocatory mechanism 32, the latter being of any suitable construction forming no part of the present invention.

By way of illustration, the mechanism 32 is shown as comprising transversely-extendingbars or rods 33, adapted to be reciprocated by the links 34 and arms 35, the latter being carried by the rod 36, operated by a suitable means (not shown). The inner ends of the rods or bars 33 carry a structural member 38 which, in turn, supports the members 39 carrying the upwardly extending lugs 3| which are adapted to be received the notches 30 provided by the depending lugs 28 and 29 on the reciprocable bars.

To provide for raising or lowering of the apexes .20 of the reciprocable bars, a plurality of shims inclination of the fuel-supporting surfaces I8 and I9 with respect to the horizontal.

In Fig. 3, there is illustrated onemeans for angular adjustment, this adjustment naturally conforming to that of the alternate recipro'cable bars 16. The lower ends of the 'bars'l l likewise out departing from the spirit thereof, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a stoker, a plurality'of grate bars of inverted-V type having pivotal joints at their apexes, means providing stationary "supports for the ends of said barsjand means providing a transversely-movable support for the apexes of "the bars.

as-Structure as specified in claim 1, wherein I the transversely-movable support for the apexes securing the stationary grate"bars"'at"'anydesired rest upon the stationary supporting plates 22 and preferably are provided with angle pieces '42, secured thereto by :suitable 'means, :such as the bolts 43. The under surface of the bars: H imay be'xprovided with a plurality of openings 44 for reception? of the belts, in various positions' o adjustment of theranglepiecesflzz. V

While the invention has been shown inbu't one iformvit will i be obvious to those skilled "o'f 'thebarsis vertically adjustable with respect T5 to thes'tationary supports, whereby the angle of inclination df'the upper fuel-supporting sur- Ifa'ces of the-bars may be varied.

3. A composite grate bar of inverted-V configuration providing a, pair of upper fuel-supporting surfaces inclined downwardly in oppo- LSTU'ARTPH. CHAPMAN. 

